Chess Scotland Juniors
designed by kids, for kids!

European Youth Championships 2006, Herceg Novi, Montenegro

By Ian MacGregor

Photos

The Scottish squad headed out to Montenegro on the 8th September in the early hours of the morning, reaching there quite late at night around 11.30pm. For the first night some of us stayed in some dodgy rooms with toilets that didn't function well and balconies that were dangerous. It was only for one night though and so we got moved into the hotel where we were playing at the next night, with some people staying in apartments just down the road.

The fist day kicked off with everyone only too eager to move hotel closer to the venue. Round 1 came and went with the majority of people failing to perform but it was always going to be tough opposition from the start. As the rounds went on the squad, with the aid of our great coach Esben Lund, managed to become more comfortable and started to enjoy themselves, outside the chess as well. It became almost a routine for most of us to get up, prepare and then head down to the sea and enjoy a morning snorkelling, all credit going to the Wrights for introducing such an exciting activity for us all to enjoy. Back to the chess though and I think by the end of it everybody was delighted with their results with everyone performing fantastically and more than making up for the slow start. Ivan, playing in the toughest category, knew it wasn't going to be too easy but he excelled with 3/9. Lynsey and Amy both did Scotland proud with Amy taking 4 and Lynsey coming away with 3. Calum Fraser Macdonald also played well with 1.5/9 whilst Jonathan Wright took 2.5/9 off the formidable Europeans. An energetic Andrew McClement managed an impressive 3.5/9 in his first big international whilst both Rhian and Ali took home good scores, Ali with 3/9 and Rhian with half marks on 4.5 /9. I myself am delighted with my 3.5/9 and am very impressed with the organisation of this championship.

On the whole I think everyone did very well and enjoyed Herceg Novi as much as possible. Looking back I greatly enjoyed snorkelling and my least favourite part was of course those nasty mosquitoes that always pop up at the wrong time in the wrong place. I hope everybody else had as good a time as I did and will remember it for all its good times.

Players scores:

Rhian Hughes	4.5
Amy Officer	4
Ian MacGregor	3.5
Andrew McClement	3.5
Ali Roy	3
Lynsey Shovlin	3
Ivan Stokes	3
Jonathan Wright	2.5
Calum Fraser MacDonald	1.5

Accompanying People:

Brenda Hughes, Paul MacDonald, Douglas MacGregor, Steve Wright, Ann Roy, Charlie Roy, Zak Roy.

Coach:

Esben Lund

Chess Scotland Juniors designed by kids, for kids!

Chess Scotland Juniors
designed by kids, for kids!